Former Dixons boss takes helm at Monsoon

HOLLY WILLIAMS

John Browett, the former chief executive of electricals retailer Dixons, is returning to the high street as chief executive of Monsoon Accessorize, four months after his shock exit from Apple.

Browett is understood to be taking the top job on 4 March in a role that will see him head up more than 1,000 stores across 74 countries, including about 400 outlets in the UK.

His appointment comes after an abrupt departure from computer giant Apple in October, six months after he relocated to California to lead its global store chain.

He quit as chief executive of Dixons to join Apple after a highly regarded stint at the Currys and PC World firm, but left the technology group following a management shake-up amid reports of employee backlash over his plans for staffing changes at stores.

Monsoon Accessorize has been looking for a new chief executive since May last year.

Browett will bring to the group his experience of leading a big international retailer and knowledge of online shopping gained at Dixons, while he was also previously a senior executive at supermarket Tesco.

Monsoon was founded in 1973 by Peter Simon, who set up a stall on Portobello Road in London selling hand-crafted and bohemian fashion inspired by his travels around the world.

Accessorize was launched in 1984 selling high street accessories, and Monsoon Home followed in 1998.

There are now more than 240 Accessorize stores in the UK and over 800 overseas.

Monsoon was floated on the stock market in 1999, but taken private again by Simon in a £755 million deal in 2007 after a chequered time on the stock market.